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Press Release
January 15, 2008

Statement from the Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein

Washington, DC…The National Archives has conducted a review of an incident
that occurred on Saturday, January 12, at the National Archives Headquarters
Building. According to a report filed by the National Archives
security staff, protesters tried to gain entrance to the Constitution Avenue
side of the National Archives Building. They were asked to leave their
placards and signs outside. A security guard also requested that they
cover up t-shirts that announced their protest.

In the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, several of the protesters then
engaged in loud comments attempting to attract attention and encourage other
visitors to the Rotunda to join them. Their disruptive behavior in the
Rotunda was disturbing some of the visitors. National Archives security
guards asked the protesters to leave the building.

National Archives regulations (CFR36:1280) state that visitors may not distribute
leaflets, fliers, handbills and other materials. Visitors are also prohibited
from “acting in a disorderly fashion…in a manner that creates
a loud or unusual noise or nuisance.”

The National Archives investigation found that the security force acted properly
in requesting that the placards and signs be left outside and in asking the protesters
to leave the building after they had violated the conduct regulations by talking
loudly, thereby disturbing other visitors. However, the report found also
that there was no reason to ask the individuals involved to cover up t-shirts
that expressed their protest, and a review of National Archives regulations will
be conducted for the security force to ensure that all regulations are properly
carried out in future.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (202) 357-5300.